Identification and Heterogeneity of County-Level Urban Shrinkage in Gansu Province

Abstract

Strengthening research on urban shrinkage identification and intensity is conducive to advancing China's new-type urbanization steadily. Taking Gansu Province as the research object, this study establishes a comprehensive evaluation system covering total population, population structure and population density to identify and classify urban shrinkage at the county-level administrative units in Gansu. It examines the spatial distribution pattern and heterogeneity of urban shrinkage intensity, and analyzes the factors and differences influencing the intensity. The results are as follows:(1) From 2000 to 2023, 76 counties (cities) in Gansu showed spatial shrinkage with obvious contiguous characteristics. The number and degree of urban shrinkage in the Hexi Corridor were slightly higher than those in Longzhong, Longdong, Longnan and ethnic minority areas, reflecting high universality of shrinkage and prominent population loss.(2) The output value of secondary and tertiary industries is the main factor affecting the intensity of urban shrinkage in Gansu, and there are significant differences among economic, social and population factors.